Education Edge » Alumna Honored as Teacher of the Year at Oxford School

 

Alumna Honored as Teacher of the Year at Oxford School

by UM School of Education on January 21, 2014
Alumna Candace Gooch at Bramlett Elementary School.

Ole Miss alumna Candace Gooch (B.A.Ed. ’10, M.Ed. ’12) has been honored as Teacher of the Year at Bramlett Elementary School in Oxford.

A Mantachie native, Gooch was selected for the honor by her fellow teachers at Bramlett Elementary, a P-2 school where she has taught first grade since 2012.

“First grade is where most children learn to read and it can be challenging because the students develop so quickly,” she said. “But that’s what I love about teaching. When the students come in they are maybe reading three-letter words and soon they are reading whole books and retaining information.”

During her time at the Ole Miss School of Education Gooch completed an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in literacy education while working as a graduate assistant at the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, or CELI.  While at CELI, she completed field experiences at Dundee Elementary School in Tunica which later led to a second-grade teaching position in 2011.

“Candace is an exceptional educator who understands the importance of literacy, especially in the foundational grades where children learn to read,” said Dr. Angela Rutherford, director of CELI. “It’s been great to see her grow professionally and achieve such success.  Candace knows the literacy research base and uses her knowledge to impact children.”

As Teacher of the Year, Gooch will be in the running for the Oxford School District Teacher of the Year, as well. She hopes to eventually move into a literacy specialist or coach position in Mississippi.

“I eventually want to work with other teachers and schools,” she said. “I’d like to help make sure (teachers) have the knowledge and support to help all children learn to read and improve their lives.”